Portable electronic device holder with assistance request button and method powering portable electronic device

ABSTRACT

A portable electronic device (PED) holder assembly and related methods. A PED holder assembly includes a PED holder assembly to which a PED is detachably attachable, an output connector adapted for connection to an input port of a PED held by the PED holder assembly, an assistance request button attached to the PED holder assembly, a connection cable assembly operatively connected to the output connector and the assistance request button, and a bed-side connector assembly adapted to be connected to a bed-side end of a multifunctional assistance request cable. The bed-side connector assembly is operatively connected to the output connector, via the connection cable assembly, to transmit power received from the multifunctional assistance request cable to the PED. The bed-side connector is operatively connected to the assistance request button to transmit an assistance request signal generated via a pressing of the assistance request button through the multifunctional assistance request cable.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/567,670, filed Oct. 3, 2017, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated for all purposes in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Portable electronic devices (PEDs) (e.g., digital tablets, smart phones,and other electronic devices) are becoming more popular and prevalent inmodern day lifestyles. Hospitals are experiencing increased usage ofPEDs, either by patients and/or by hospital personnel. PEDs are beingused in hospitals for communication, education, video conferencing witha patient who is in a hospital bed, and entertainment of the patient.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of theinvention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention.This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to presentsome embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

Embodiments herein are directed to portable electronic device (PED)related assemblies that are employable in a hospital room, may beintegrated with existing assistance request systems, and can support theuse of a PED by a patient in a hospital bed. In some embodiments, a PEDrelated assembly includes one or more communication, data, and/or powercable assemblies that can be readily disconnected to accommodatemovement of the hospital bed. In some embodiments, a PED relatedassembly includes a PED holder with an assistance request button and anoutput connector that is connectable to an input port of a PED held inthe PED holder. As a result, a PED can be supplied power and/or data viaa connection that enables use of the PED and the assistance requestbutton by the patient, without compromising the ability to move thehospital bed.

Thus, in one aspect, a portable electronic device (PED) holder assemblyincludes a PED holder, an output connector, an assistance requestbutton, a connection cable assembly, and a bed-side connector assembly.A PED is detachably attachable to the PED holder. The output connectoris adapted for connection to an input port of a PED held to the PEDholder. The assistance request button is attached to the PED holder. Theconnection cable assembly is operatively connected to the outputconnector and the assistance request button. The bed-side connectorassembly is adapted to be connected to a bed-side end of amultifunctional assistance request cable. The bed-side connectorassembly is operatively connected to the output connector, via theconnection cable assembly, to transmit power received from themultifunctional assistance request cable to the PED. The bed-sideconnector assembly is operatively connected to the assistance requestbutton to transmit an assistance request signal generated via a pressingof the assistance request button through the multifunctional assistancerequest cable to communicate a request for assistance.

In some embodiments, the bed-side connector assembly is configured forquick disconnection. For example, in some embodiments, the bed-sideconnector assembly includes a magnetic mechanism for detachablyconnecting the bed-side connector assembly to the bed-side end of themultifunctional assistance request cable.

In some embodiments, the bed-side connector assembly includes separateconnectors through which power is supplied from the multifunctionalassistance request cable to the PED and through which the assistantrequest signal is transmitted to the multifunction assistance requestcable, respectively. For example, in some embodiments, the bed-sideconnector assembly includes a bed-side connector adapted to be connectedto the bed-side end of the multifunctional assistance request cable. Thebed-side connector can include a bed-side PED connector and a bed-sideassistance request signal communication connector. The bed-side PEDconnector can be operatively connected to the output connector totransmit power received from the multifunctional assistance requestcable to the PED. The bed-side assistance request signal communicationconnector can be connected to the assistance request button to transmitthe assistance request signal through the multifunctional assistancerequest cable.

In some embodiments, the PED holder assembly further includes awall-side connector assembly adapted to be connected to a wall-side endof the multifunctional assistance request cable. The wall-side connectorassembly can be adapted to operatively connect a power source to themultifunctional assistance request cable to transmit power received fromthe power source to the PED via the multifunctional assistance requestcable. The wall-side connector assembly can be adapted to connect themultifunctional assistance request cable to an assistance requestcommunication system for transmission of the assistance request signalto the assistance request communication system to communicate therequest for assistance.

In some embodiments, the wall-side connector assembly is configured forquick disconnection. For example, in some embodiments, the wall-sideconnector assembly includes a magnetic mechanism for detachablyconnecting the wall-side connector assembly to the wall-side end of themultifunctional assistance request cable.

In some embodiments, the wall-side connector assembly includes separateconnectors through which power is transmitted through themultifunctional assistance request cable to the PED and through whichthe assistant request signal is transmitted from the multifunctionassistance request cable to the assistance request communication system,respectively. For example, in some embodiments, the wall-side connectorassembly includes a wall-side connector adapted to be connected to thewall-side end of the multifunctional assistance request cable. Thewall-side connector can include a wall-side PED connector and awall-side assistance request signal communication connector. Thewall-side PED connector can be adapted to be connected to the powersource to transmit power through the multifunctional assistance requestcable to the PED. The wall-side assistance request signal communicationconnector can be adapted to be operatively connected to the assistancerequest communication system to transmit the assistance request signalfrom the multifunctional assistance request cable to the assistancerequest communication system.

In some embodiments, the PED holder assembly further includes themultifunctional assistance request cable. In some embodiments, themultifunctional assistance request cable is configured for quickdisconnection. For example, the multifunctional assistance request cablecan include a bed-side segment connected to the bed-side connectorassembly, a wall-side segment connected to the wall-side connectorassembly, and a magnetic mechanism for detachably connecting thebed-side segment to the wall-side segment.

In some embodiments, the assistance request button is illuminated whenthe PED holder assembly is connected to the power supply. For example,in some embodiments, the assistance request button includes anillumination element that outputs light when power received from themultifunctional assistance request cable is transmitted to the PED viathe connection cable assembly. The illumination element does not outputlight when power is not transmitted to the PED via the connection cableassembly.

In some embodiments, the PED holder assembly includes a bed connectorfor keeping the PED holder assembly within easy reach of a patient inthe hospital bed. For example, the bed connector can be adapted toattach to a side rail of a hospital bed and maintain a selected positionof the connection cable assembly relative to the hospital bed.

In some embodiments, the PED holder assembly includes one or moreadditional assistance request buttons. Each of the one or moreadditional assistance buttons can be operatively connected to theconnection cable assembly and operable to transmit an assistance requestsignal through the multifunctional assistance request cable tocommunicate a request for assistance.

In many embodiments, the PED holder assembly is configured to satisfyapplicable safety regulations. For example, in many embodiments, thepower transmitted to the PED via the multifunctional assistance requestcable is National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 99-compliant.

In many embodiments, the PED holder assembly is configured to transmit asignal to a PED held in the PED holder when the assistance requestbutton is pressed. For example, the assistance request button can beoperatively connected to the output connector to transmit an inputsignal to the PED indicative of a pressing of the assistance requestbutton. The PED can be programmed to execute an assistance requestprogram via which a request for assistance can be communicated via thePED.

In another aspect, a method is provided for transmitting power to aportable electronic device (PED) over a multifunctional assistancerequest cable and a request for assistance signal over themultifunctional assistance request cable. The method includestransmitting an electrical power from a power source to amultifunctional assistance request cable operatively connected to ahospital bed. The electrical power is transmitted from themultifunctional assistance request cable to an output connector. Theelectrical power is transmitted from the output connector to an inputport of the PED detachably held in a PED holder. An assistance requestsignal is generated via a pressing of an assistance request buttonattached to the PED holder. The assistance request signal istransmitted, via the multifunctional assistance request cable, to anassistance request communication system to communicate an assistancerequest to an attendant.

In some embodiments, the method employs a wall-side connector assemblyand/or a bed-side connector assembly through which the electrical powerand the assistance request signal are transmitted. For example, thetransmission of the electrical power from the power source to themultifunctional assistance request cable can include transmitting theelectrical power from the power source to a PED connector of a wall-sideconnector assembly and transmitting the electrical power from thewall-side connector assembly to a wall-side end of the multifunctionalassistance request cable. The transmission of the electrical power fromthe multifunctional assistance request cable to the output connector caninclude transmitting the electrical power from the multifunctionalassistance request cable to a wall-side connector assembly connected toa bed-side end of the multifunctional assistance request cable andtransmitting the electrical power from a PED connector of the wall-sideconnector assembly to the output connector. The transmission of theassistance request signal to the assistance request communication systemcan include transmitting the assistance request signal from theassistance request button to an assistance request signal connector ofthe bed-side connector assembly, transmitting the assistance requestsignal from the bed-side connector assembly to the multifunctionalassistance request cable, transmitting the assistance request signalfrom the multifunctional assistance request cable to the wall-sideconnector assembly, and transmitting the assistance request signal froma wall-side assistance request signal connector of the wall-sideconnector assembly to the assistance request communication system.

In some embodiments, the method includes illumination of the assistancerequest button to indicate when power is being transmitted to the PED.For example, in some embodiments, the assistance request button includesan illumination element and the method further includes outputting lightfrom the illumination element when power received from themultifunctional assistance request cable is transmitted to the inputport of the PED and preventing output of light from the illuminationelement when power is not transmitted from the multifunctionalassistance request cable to the input port of the PED.

In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting a signal to thePED indicative of a pressing of the assistance request button. Forexample, the assistance request button can be operatively connected tothe output connector to transmit an input signal to the PED indicativeof a pressing of the assistance request button. The PED can beprogrammed to execute an assistance request program via which a requestfor assistance can be generated and communicated via the PED.

In some embodiments of the method, the electrical power and theassistance request signal are transmitted through a magnetic connectionassembly that includes a magnetic mechanism for detachably connectingthe magnetic connection assembly. For example, the multifunctionalassistance request cable can include a bed-side segment connected to thebed-side connector assembly, a wall-side segment connected to thewall-side connector assembly, and a magnetic mechanism for detachablyconnecting the bed-side segment to the wall-side segment. In someembodiments, the wall-side connector assembly includes a magneticmechanism for detachably connecting the wall-side connector assembly tothe wall-side end of the multifunctional assistance request cable. Insome embodiments, the bed-side connector assembly includes a magneticmechanism for detachably connecting the bed-side connector assembly tothe bed-side end of the multifunctional assistance request cable

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentinvention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed descriptionand accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The specification makes reference to the following appended figures, inwhich use of like reference numerals in different figures is intended toillustrate like or analogous components.

FIG. 1 shows a portable electronic device (PED) holder assembly thatincludes a bed connector that attaches to a side rail of the patientbed, in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows some components of the PED holder assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a hospital room configuration in which a PED holderassembly is connected to a communication and power assembly for apatient bed, in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 4 shows a hospital room configuration in which a PED holderassembly is connected to a communication and power assembly for apatient bed, in accordance with embodiments, the PED holder assemblyincluding one or more assistance request buttons.

FIG. 5 shows a hospital room configuration in which a communication andpower assembly for use by a patient is connected to a communication andpower assembly for a patient bed, in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows a hospital room configuration in which a PED holderassembly is connected to a communication and power assembly for apatient bed, in accordance with embodiments, the PED holder assemblyincluding a assistance request button.

FIG. 7 shows a hospital room configuration in which a PED holderassembly is connected to a communication and power assembly for apatient bed, in accordance with embodiments, the PED holder assemblyincluding a assistance request button.

FIG. 8 shows a hospital room configuration in which a PED holderassembly is connected to a communication and power assembly for apatient bed, in accordance with embodiments, the PED holder assemblyincluding a connection port for a assistance request button assembly.

FIG. 9 shows a hospital room configuration that includes a PED holderassembly that can be connected to a communication and power assembly fora patient bed or connected directly to a power and/or data device thatsupplies power and/or data to a PED, in accordance with embodiments, thePED holder assembly including a assistance request button.

FIG. 10 shows a hospital room configuration that includes a PED holderassembly connected directly to a power and/or data device that suppliespower and/or data to a PED, in accordance with embodiments, the PEDholder assembly including a assistance request button.

FIG. 11 shows a hospital room configuration in which a PED holderassembly is connected to a communication and power assembly for apatient bed, in accordance with embodiments, the PED holder assemblyincluding a assistance request button and wireless communicationfunctionality.

FIG. 12 shows a hospital room configuration that includes a PED holderassembly connected directly to a power and/or data device that suppliespower and/or data to a PED, in accordance with embodiments, the PEDholder assembly including a assistance request button and a connectordisposed adjacent to a connector of a communication and power assemblyfor a patient bed.

FIG. 13 shows a hospital room configuration in which a PED holderassembly is connected to a communication and power assembly for apatient bed, in accordance with embodiments, the PED holder assemblyincluding a assistance request button.

FIG. 14 shows a hospital room configuration in which a PED holderassembly is connected to a communication and power assembly for apatient bed, in accordance with embodiments, the PED holder assemblyincluding a assistance request button.

FIG. 15 shows a hospital room configuration that includes a PED holderassembly that can be connected to a communication and power assembly fora patient bed or connected directly to a power and/or data device thatsupplies power and/or data to a PED, in accordance with embodiments, thePED holder assembly including a assistance request button.

FIG. 16 shows a hospital room configuration in which a PED holderassembly is connected to a bed stand assembly connected to acommunication and power assembly for a patient bed, in accordance withembodiments, the PED holder assembly including a assistance requestbutton.

FIG. 17 is a simplified schematic diagram of a method of transmittingpower to a portable electronic device (PED) over a multifunctionalassistance request cable and a request for assistance signal over themultifunctional assistance request cable, in accordance withembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various embodiments of the presentinvention are described. For purposes of explanation, specificconfigurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent toone skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may beomitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment beingdescribed.

As is known, a hospital bed or hospital stretcher is a patient holderassembly specially designed for hospitalized patients or others in needof some form of health care. As used herein throughout this disclosure,a “bed” refers to any patient holder assembly. Hospital beds havespecial features both for the comfort and well-being of the patient andfor the convenience of health care workers. Common features includeadjustable height for the entire bed, the head, and the feet, adjustableside rails, and electronic buttons to operate both the bed and othernearby electronic devices. Hospital beds and other similar types of bedsare used not only in hospitals, but in other health care facilities andsettings, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, outpatientclinics, and in home health care.

Many hospital beds have side rails that can be raised or lowered. Theserails serve as protection for the patient and sometimes can make thepatient feel more secure. There are a variety of different types of siderails designed to prevent falls, provide security for the patient,and/or provide assistance for the patient getting in and out of the bed.The side rails may or may not move with a head portion of the bed thatmoves upward to allow reclining by a patient.

Some embodiments herein are directed to a portable electronic device(PED) holder assembly that includes a bed connector releasably attachingthe PED holder assembly to a bed side rail, for example for a hospitalbed. In many embodiments, the bed connector is configured to releasablyand securely mount to the side rail. In many embodiments, the PED holderassembly includes a support arm that is attached to the bed connectorand to a PED holder to which a PED is attached. The support arm is, inembodiments, articulating, flexible, rotatable, and/or otherwiseconfigurable to allow positioning of the PED holder in a desiredposition relative to the patient on the bed and/or hospital staffadjacent to the bed. The PED holder can be any structure that cansupport a PED. The PED can be any suitable portable electronic device,for example, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant(PDA), a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a thin-client device, atablet PC, an electronic book (e-book) reader, or other computingdevices or electronic devices.

In some embodiments, the bed connector is designed to fit securely ontoa side rail of a hospital bed so that the bed connector does not rotaterelative to the side rail. In one such an embodiment, the bed connectorcan fit over the side rail and a bar that extends at an angle to theside rail, with the bed connector engaging both sides of the bar so thatlimited rotational movement of the bed connector is permitted afterinstallation.

Turning now to the drawing figures in which the same or similarreference identifiers refer to the same or similar components throughoutall of the drawing figures, FIG. 1 shows a PED holder assembly 10 forattaching a PED to hospital bed side rail 11. The PED holder assembly 10includes a PED holder 14 to which the PED is attachable, a bed connector16 for attaching to the bed side rail 11, and a support arm 18 extendingbetween the bed connector 16 and the PED holder 14. In FIG. 1, the bedconnector 16 is shown attached to a junction 20 at the top edge of a toprail 12 of the side rail 11 for a hospital bed. The junction 20 is thejunction of the top rail 12 and a bar 22 that extends downward from thetop rail 12. While suitable embodiments of the PED holder assembly 10are described herein, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/705,105,entitled “Electronic Device Mount for Releasably Attaching to Equipmentin a Hospital Room,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference inits entirety, provides description of a device 10 that is applicable tosome embodiments of the PED holder assembly 10.

The PED holder 14 can be any suitable structure that can support a PED.For example, the PED holder 14 can include a device clamp that holds twoor more sides of a PED, a stand that permits a PED to sit on top, amount for supporting or holding a PED, one or more magnets formagnetically connecting to a PED, a tether, or any other structure thatcan clamp, friction fit, balance, suspend, or otherwise connect to orsupport a PED. The PED holder 14 can be designed to hold severaldifferent sized or shaped PEDs, and could be as simple as a flatsurface. In many embodiments described herein, a PED holder assemblyincludes at least one assistance request button that can be pressed tocommunicate a request for assistance to an attendant station (e.g., anurse station).

In some embodiments, the PED holder assembly 10 include an electricalconnector for providing power and/or data to the PED. In embodiments,such electrical connector includes a charging feature for fitting into acharging port or otherwise connecting to the PED to provide power and/ordata to the PED. For example, as shown by FIG. 2, the PED holder 14 caninclude a power and/or data output connector 30 for fitting into aninput port 32 of the PED. The input port 32 of the PED can have anysuitable configuration and be used to supply power to the PED and/orcommunicate data to and/or from the PED. For example, the power and/ordata output connector 30 and the input port 32 can have any suitableUniversal Serial Bus (USB) configuration. In some embodiments, the PEDholder assembly 10 includes a battery, such as a rechargeable battery,for charging and/or powering the PED.

Power and/or data (e.g., data for communication) can be provided to thePED through the input port 32 via the power and/or data output connector30. In such embodiments, a wire or set of wires can extend through thesupport arm 18, can be wrapped around the support arm 18, or can extendfrom the PED holder 14 free of the support arm 18. For example, as shownin FIG. 2, a cable 34 having one or more wires extends through thesupport arm 18. In embodiments, the PED holder assembly 10 includes areleasable connector 36, such as a magnetic connector disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 9,147,965 (which is hereby incorporated herein in its entiretyby reference), that can be disconnected so as to permit free movement ofthe portion of the PED holder assembly 10 connected to the hospital bedduring movement of the hospital bed or when the PED holder assembly 10is disconnected from the hospital bed. As an alternative to a wiredconnection, the PED can receive communications wirelessly, and the PEDcan be removed for charging or replacement of batteries. In addition,cable-less charging of the PED can be provided at the PED holder 14.

The support arm 18 is, in embodiments, articulating, flexible,rotatable, and/or otherwise configurable to allow positioning of the PEDholder 14 in a desired position and orientation relative to the patient.In embodiments in which the support arm 18 is movable while the bedconnector 16 remains anchored to the side rail 11, the support arm 18and the PED holder 14 can be moved to a position out of the way in anemergency, but yet the PED holder 14 is still supported by the bedconnector 16 via the side rail 11. In embodiments, the support arm 18 isnot only reconfigurable to vary the position and/or orientation of thePED holder 14, but also retains the PED holder 14 in a selected positionand orientation, such as over a patient or out to the side of a hospitalbed for access by a caregiver. To this end, the support arm 18 caninclude sliding, locking pieces that accommodate repositioning andreorientation of the PED holder 14 and retain a selected position andorientation of the PED holder 14, or can have a flexible nature thatresists, but allows, bending along its length. For example, the supportarm 18 can include flexible adjustable shafts, such as those found ingooseneck lamps. As another example, the support arm 18 can include acoiled metal tube that is reconfigurable via selective bending along thelength of the coiled metal tube.

FIG. 3 shows a hospital room configuration 40A that includes a hospitalbed 42 having a side rail 11, a communication and power assembly 44A forthe hospital bed 42, a PED holder assembly 10A, and, in someembodiments, a PED power and/or data cable assembly 46. The PED holderassembly 10A is configured similar to the PED holder assembly 10. Forexample, reference identifiers associated with components of PED holderassembly 10A that are the same or similar to components of the PEDholder assembly 10 are the same or similar to reference identifiersassociated with the components of the PED holder assembly 10. The PEDholder assembly 10A includes a PED holder 14A, a bed connector 16A, anda power and/or data cable assembly 48. The PED holder 14A has a recess50 shaped and sized to accommodate and hold a PED placed in the recess50. In some embodiments, the PED holder 14A includes suitable retentionfeatures that retain the PED in the recess 50 to prevent inadvertentdetachment of the PED from the PED holder 14A and accommodateintentional removal of the PED from the PED holder 14A. The PED holder14A includes a power and/or data output connector 30 for fitting into aninput port 32 of a PED held by the PED holder 14A. The PED holder 14Afurther includes a assistance request button 52 that can be pressed tocommunicate a request for assistance to an attendant station. The powerand/or data cable assembly 48 operatively connects the power and/or dataoutput connector 30 to the communication and power assembly 44A. The bedconnector 16A is attachable to the side rail 11. The bed connector 16Ais attached to, or attachable to, the power and/or data cable assembly48 to retain the power and/or data cable assembly 48 within reach of apatient in the bed 42. In some embodiments, the distal end of the cableassembly 48 is securely attached to the PED holder 14A so that thepatient can grab and pull on the cable assembly 48 to bring the PEDholder 14A within reach of the patient when the patient wants to use thePED and/or press the assistance request button 52 to request assistance.In some embodiments, the PED holder assembly 10A includes a support armthe same as, or similar to, the support arm 18 of the PED holderassembly 10 to support the PED holder 14A in a selected position andorientation relative to the bed connector 16A.

In some embodiments, the communication and power assembly 44Aoperatively connects the bed 42 to a assistance request communicationsystem hub 54 and connects the PED holder assembly 10A to a power and/ordata outlet 56. The assistance request communication system hub 54 isoperatively connected to a assistance request communication system thatis operable to transmit a assistance request signal generated viaoperation of the assistance request button 52 to an attendant station.The power and/or data outlet 56 supplies power and/or data to a PED heldby the PED holder assembly 10A through the communication and powerassembly 44A and the cable assembly 48. The communication and powerassembly 44A includes a PED power and/or data cable assembly 58, aproximal cable assembly 60, a distal cable assembly 62, and anintermediate connector 64 mounted to the bed 42. The PED power and/ordata cable assembly 58 includes a proximal connector 66, a power and/ordata cable 68, and a distal connector 70. The proximal cable assembly 60includes a proximal connector 72, a power/communication cable 74, and adistal connector 76. The distal cable assembly 62 includes a proximalconnector 78, a power/communication cable 80, and a distal connector 82.The proximal connector 66 of the cable assembly 58 is connectable to thepower and/or data outlet 56 and the distal connector 70 of the cableassembly 58 is connectable to the proximal connector 72 of the cableassembly 60 to operatively connect the communication and power assembly44A to the power and/or data outlet 56. The proximal connector 72 of thecable assembly 60 is connectable to the hub 54 to operatively connectthe communication and power assembly 44A to the assistance requestcommunication system. The proximal connector 78 of the cable assembly 62is connectable to the distal connector 76 of the cable assembly 60 tooperatively connect the cable assembly 62 to the assistance requestcommunication system and the outlet 56. The distal connector 82 of thecable assembly 62 is connectable to the intermediate connector 64 tooperatively connect the intermediate connector 64 to the assistancerequest communication system and the power and/or data outlet 56. Thepower and/or data cable assembly 48 includes a proximal connector 84that is connectable to the intermediate connector 64 to operativelyconnect the power and/or data cable assembly 48 to the assistancerequest communication system and the outlet 56.

In some embodiments, the communication and power assembly 44Aoperatively connects the intermediate connector 64 to the assistancerequest communication system hub 54 and the intermediate connector 64 isoperatively connected to a power and/or data outlet 56 via the PED powerand/or data cable assembly 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the PEDpower and/or data cable assembly 46 includes a distal power and/or dataoutput connector 30A, which can be connected to an input port 32 of aPED to operatively connect the PED to the power and/or data outlet 56.

In some embodiments, the communication and power assembly 44A isconfigured to enable quick disconnection of the bed 42 from theassistance request communication system hub 54 and the power and/or dataoutlet 56 when the bed 42 needs to be moved. For example, the distalconnector 76 and the proximal connector 78 can form a releasablemagnetic connection, such as the magnetic connector disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 9,147,965. As another example, the distal connector 82 and theintermediate connector 64 can form a releasable magnetic connection,such as the magnetic connector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,147,965.

FIG. 4 shows a hospital room configuration 40B that includes a hospitalbed 42 having a side rail 11, a communication and power assembly 44B forthe hospital bed 42, an intermediate connector assembly 86B, and a PEDholder assembly 10B. The PED holder assembly 10B is configured similarto the PED holder assembly 10. For example, reference identifiersassociated with components of PED holder assembly 10B that are the sameor similar to components of the PED holder assembly 10 are the same orsimilar to reference identifiers associated with the components of thePED holder assembly 10. The PED holder assembly 10B includes a PEDholder 14B, a bed connector 16B, and a power and/or data cable assembly48B. The PED holder 14B has a recess 50 shaped and sized to accommodateand hold a PED placed in the recess 50. In some embodiments, the PEDholder 14B includes suitable retention features that retain the PED inthe recess 50 to prevent inadvertent detachment of the PED from the PEDholder 14B and accommodate intentional removal of the PED from the PEDholder 14B. The PED holder 14B includes a power and/or data outputconnector 30 for fitting into an input port 32 of a PED held by the PEDholder 14B. The PED holder 14B can include any suitable number ofassistance request buttons 52 that can be pressed to communicate arequest for assistance to an attendant station. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the PED holder 14B includes two assistancerequest buttons 52. The power and/or data cable assembly 48B operativelyconnects the power and/or data output connector 30 and the assistancerequest buttons 52 to the intermediate cable assembly 86B. The powerand/or data cable assembly 48B can include any suitable number ofassistance request buttons 52 that can be pressed to communicate arequest for assistance to an attendant station. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the power and/or data cable assembly 48Bincludes three assistance request buttons 52 distributed along thelength of the power and/or data cable assembly 48B. The power and/ordata cable assembly 48B includes a distal connector 88B that isconnectable to the PED holder 14B to operatively couple the PED holder14B to the power and/or data cable assembly 48B. In the illustratedembodiment, the distal connector 88B includes a assistance requestbuttons 52 that can be pressed to communicate a request for assistanceto an attendant station. The bed connector 16B is attachable to the siderail 11. The bed connector 16B is attached to, or attachable to, thepower and/or data cable assembly 48B to retain the power and/or datacable assembly 48B within reach of a patient in the bed 42 so that thepatient can grab and pull on the cable assembly 48 to bring the PEDholder 14B within reach of the patient when the patient wants to use thePED and/or press the assistance request button 52 to request assistance.In some embodiments, the PED holder assembly 10B includes a support armthe same as, or similar to, the support arm 18 of the PED holderassembly 10 to support the PED holder 14B in a selected position andorientation relative to the bed connector 16B.

The communication and power assembly 44B operatively connects theintermediate cable assembly 86B to the assistance request communicationsystem hub 54 and the outlet 56 and connects the bed 42 to theassistance request communication system hub 54 and, in some embodiments,the outlet 56. The power and/or data outlet 56 supplies power and/ordata to a PED held by the PED holder assembly 10B through thecommunication and power assembly 44B, the intermediate cable assembly86B, and the cable assembly 48B. The communication and power assembly44B includes the PED power and/or data cable assembly 58, the proximalcable assembly 60, a distal cable assembly 62B, and a coupler 90. Thedistal cable assembly 62B includes the proximal connector 78, thepower/communication cable 80, and a distal connector 82B. The proximalconnector 66 of the cable assembly 58 is connectable to the outlet 56and the distal connector 70 of the cable assembly 58 is connectable tothe proximal connector 72 of the cable assembly 60 to operativelyconnect the communication and power assembly 44B to the power and/ordata outlet 56. The proximal connector 72 of the cable assembly 60 isconnectable to the assistance request hub 54 to operatively connect thecommunication and power assembly 44B to the assistance requestcommunication system. The proximal connector 78 of the cable assembly62B is connectable to the distal connector 76 of the cable assembly 60to operatively connect the cable assembly 62B to the assistance requestcommunication system and the outlet 56. The distal connector 82B of thecable assembly 62 is connectable to the coupler 90 to operativelyconnect the coupler 90 to the assistance request communication systemand the outlet 56. The bed 42 includes a bed hub 92 to which the coupler90 is connectable to operatively connect the bed hub 92 to theassistance request communication system and/or the outlet 56. In someembodiments, the bed 42 includes any suitable number of assistancerequest buttons 52 that are operatively coupled with the assistancerequest communication system via the bed hub 92.

The intermediate cable assembly 86B operatively connects the PED holderassembly 10B to the assistance request communication system hub 54 andthe outlet 56. The intermediate cable assembly 86B includes a proximalconnector 94, a cable 96 operatively connected to the proximal connector94, and a distal connector 98 operatively connected to the cable 96. Insome embodiments, the proximal connector 94 is connectable to the distalconnector 82B to operatively connect the intermediate cable assembly 86to the assistance request communication system and the outlet 56 via thecommunication and power assembly 44B. In some embodiments, the proximalconnector 94 is connectable to the coupler 90 to operatively connect theintermediate cable assembly 86 to the assistance request communicationsystem and the outlet 56 via the communication and power assembly 44B.

The cable assembly 48B operatively connects the PED holder 14B to theassistance request communication system hub 54 and the outlet 56. Thecable assembly 48B includes a proximal connector 84B, a cable 49Boperatively connected to the proximal connector 84B, and the distalconnector 88B operatively connected to the cable 49B. The proximalconnector 84B is connectable to the distal connector 98 to operativelyconnect the cable assembly 48B to the assistance request communicationsystem and the outlet 56 via the intermediate cable assembly 86B and thecommunication and power assembly 44B.

The hospital room configuration 40B can include any suitable number ofquick disconnection features that enhance the ability to move the bed 42and/or the PED holder assembly 10B. For example, in some embodiments,the distal connector 76 and the proximal connector 78 form a quickrelease connection, such as the magnetic connector disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 9,147,965. In some embodiments, the distal connector 98 and theproximal connector 84B form a quick release connection, such as themagnetic connector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,147,965.

FIG. 5 shows a hospital room configuration 40C that includes a hospitalbed 42 having a side rail 11, a communication and power assembly 44C forthe hospital bed 42, an intermediate connector assembly 86C, and aassistance request/PED cable assembly 10C. The assistance request/PEDcable assembly 10C is configured similar to the PED holder assembly 10B,but without the PED holder 14B. For example, reference identifiersassociated with components of assistance request/PED cable assembly 10Cthat are the same or similar to components of the PED holder assembly10B are the same or similar to reference identifiers associated with thecomponents of the PED holder assembly 10B. The assistance request/PEDcable assembly 10C includes a proximal connector 84C, a cable assembly48C, a patient interface unit 100, and a distal connector 88C. Thedistal connector 88C is a power and/or data output connector for fittinginto an input port 32 of a PED. The distal connector 88C operativelyconnects the PED to the assistance request/PED cable assembly 10C. Thecable assembly 48C can include any suitable number of assistance requestbuttons 52 that can be pressed to communicate a request for assistanceto an attendant station. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, thecable assembly 48C includes one assistance request button locatedbetween the patient interface unit 100 and the distal connector 88C. Thedistal connector 88C also includes a assistance request buttons 52 thatcan be pressed to communicate a request for assistance to an attendantstation. The patient interface unit 100 includes a assistance requestbutton 52 and can include any suitable patient input devices, such as aremote control input devices for a television. In some embodiments, thecable assembly 48C can be wrapped around the side rail 11 to retain thecable assembly 48C within reach of a patient in the bed 42 when thepatient wants to use the PED and/or press the assistance request button52 to request assistance.

The communication and power assembly 44C operatively connects theintermediate cable assembly 86C to the assistance request communicationsystem hub 54 and the outlet 56 and connects the bed 42 to theassistance request communication system hub 54 and, in some embodiments,the outlet 56. The power and/or data outlet 56 supplies power and/ordata to a PED connected to the assistance request/PED cable assembly 10Cthrough the communication and power assembly 44C, the intermediate cableassembly 86C, and the cable assembly 48C. The communication and powerassembly 44C includes the PED power and/or data cable assembly 58, theproximal cable assembly 60, and a distal cable assembly 62C. The distalcable assembly 62C includes the proximal connector 78, thepower/communication cable 80, and a distal connector 82C. The proximalconnector 66 of the cable assembly 58 is connectable to the outlet 56and the distal connector 70 of the cable assembly 58 is connectable tothe proximal connector 72 of the cable assembly 60 to operativelyconnect the communication and power assembly 44C to the power and/ordata outlet 56. The proximal connector 72 of the cable assembly 60 isconnectable to the hub 54 to operatively connect the communication andpower assembly 44C to the assistance request communication system. Theproximal connector 78 of the cable assembly 62C is connectable to thedistal connector 76 of the cable assembly 60 to operatively connect thecable assembly 62C to the assistance request communication system andthe outlet 56. The bed 42 includes a bed hub 92C to which the distalconnector 82C is connectable to operatively connect the bed hub 92C tothe assistance request communication system and/or the outlet 56. Insome embodiments, the bed 42 includes any suitable number of assistancerequest buttons 52 that are operatively coupled with the assistancerequest communication system via the bed hub 92C.

The intermediate cable assembly 86C operatively connects the assistancerequest/PED cable assembly 10C to the assistance request communicationsystem hub 54 and the outlet 56 via the communication and power assembly44C. The intermediate cable assembly 86C includes a proximal connector94C, a cable 96C operatively connected to the proximal connector 94C,and a distal connector 98C operatively connected to the cable 96C. Theproximal connector 94C is connectable to the bed hub 92C to operativelyconnect the intermediate cable assembly 86C to the assistance requestcommunication system and the outlet 56 via the communication and powerassembly 44C.

The hospital room configuration 40C can include any suitable number ofquick disconnection features that enhance the ability to move the bed 42and/or the assistance request/PED cable assembly 10C. For example, insome embodiments, the distal connector 76 and the proximal connector 78form a quick release connection, such as the magnetic connectordisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,147,965. In some embodiments, the distalconnector 98C and the proximal connector 84C form a quick releaseconnection, such as the magnetic connector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.9,147,965.

FIG. 6 shows a hospital room configuration 40D that includes a hospitalbed 42, a communication and power assembly 44D for the hospital bed 42,and a PED holder assembly 10D. The communication and power assembly 44Dis configured similar to the communication and power assembly 44C, butincluding an intermediate connector assembly 86D that is integral to thedistal cable assembly 62C. For example, reference identifiers associatedwith components of the communication and power assembly 44D that are thesame or similar to components of the communication and power assembly44C are the same or similar to reference identifiers associated with thecomponents of the communication and power assembly 44C. The PED holderassembly 10D includes a proximal connector 84D, a cable assembly 48D,and a PED holder 14D. The PED holder assembly 10D is configured similarto the PED holder assembly 10. For example, reference identifiersassociated with components of PED holder assembly 10D that are the sameor similar to components of the PED holder assembly 10 are the same orsimilar to reference identifiers associated components of the PED holderassembly 10. The PED holder 14D can include any suitable number ofassistance request buttons 52 that can be pressed to communicate arequest for assistance to an attendant station. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the PED holder 14D includes a single assistancerequest button 52.

The communication and power assembly 44D operatively connects the PEDholder assembly 10D to the assistance request communication system hub54 and the outlet 56 and connects the bed 42 to the assistance requestcommunication system hub 54 and, in some embodiments, the outlet 56. Thepower and/or data outlet 56 supplies power and/or data to a PED held bythe PED holder 14D through the communication and power assembly 44D. Thecommunication and power assembly 44D includes a PED power and/or datacable assembly 58D, the proximal cable assembly 60, and a distal cableassembly 62D. The distal cable assembly 62D includes the proximalconnector 78, the power/communication cable 80, a distal connector 82D,and the intermediate connector assembly 86D. The PED power and/or datacable assembly 58D includes the proximal connector 66, a proximal cable68P, a connector 106, a connector 108, a distal cable 68D, and thedistal connector 70. The proximal connector 66 is connectable to theoutlet 56, the connector 108 is connectable to the connector 106, andthe distal connector 70 is connectable to the proximal connector 72 ofthe cable assembly 60 to operatively connect the communication and powerassembly 44D to the power and/or data outlet 56. The proximal connector72 of the cable assembly 60 is connectable to the assistance request hub54 to operatively connect the communication and power assembly 44D tothe assistance request communication system. The proximal connector 78of the cable assembly 62D is connectable to the distal connector 76 ofthe cable assembly 60 to operatively connect the cable assembly 62D tothe assistance request communication system and the outlet 56. The bed42 includes a bed hub 92D to which the distal connector 82D isconnectable to operatively connect the bed hub 92D to the assistancerequest communication system and/or the outlet 56. In some embodiments,the bed 42 includes any suitable number of assistance request buttons 52that are operatively coupled with the assistance request communicationsystem via the bed hub 92D. In some embodiments of the communication andpower assembly 44D, the connectors 76, 78 are omitted and a single cablesegment connects the connectors 72, 82D.

The intermediate cable assembly 86D operatively connects the PED holderassembly 10D to the assistance request communication system hub 54 andthe outlet 56. The intermediate cable assembly 86C includes a cable 96Dand a distal connector 98D operatively connected to the cable 96C. Thecable 96D is operatively connected to the connector 82D and extends fromthe connector 82D.

The hospital room configuration 40D can include any suitable number ofquick disconnection features that enhance the ability to move the bed 42and/or the PED holder assembly 10D. For example, in some embodiments,the distal connector 76 and the proximal connector 78 form a quickrelease connection, such as the magnetic connector disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 9,147,965. In some embodiments, the distal connector 98D andthe proximal connector 84D form a quick release connection, such as themagnetic connector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,147,965.

FIG. 7 shows a hospital room configuration 40E that is similar to thehospital room configuration 40D except for differences described below.Reference identifiers associated with components of the hospital roomconfiguration 40E that are the same or similar to components of thehospital room configuration 40D are the same or similar to referenceidentifiers associated with the components of the hospital roomconfiguration 40D. The hospital room configuration 40E includes theone-piece PED power and/or data cable assembly 58 shown in FIG. 4 asopposed to the two-piece PED power and/or data cable assembly 58D shownin FIG. 6. The hospital room configuration 40E employs a communicationand power assembly 44E as opposed to the communication and powerassembly 44D shown in FIG. 6. The communication and power assembly 44Eincludes a proximal cable assembly 60E and a distal cable assembly 62E.The proximal cable assembly 60E is similar to the proximal cableassembly 60D, but has a proximal connector 72E that includes apower/data output port 110 to which a PED can be connected via asuitable connection cable. The distal cable assembly 62E is similar tothe distal cable assembly 62E, but has a distal connector 82E thatincludes a power/data output port 112 to which a PED can be connectedvia a suitable connection cable.

FIG. 8 shows a hospital room configuration 40F that is similar to thehospital room configuration 40D except for differences described below.Reference identifiers associated with components of the hospital roomconfiguration 40F that are the same or similar to components of thehospital room configuration 40D are the same or similar to referenceidentifiers associated with the components of the hospital roomconfiguration 40D. The hospital room configuration 40F includes aproximal coupler 114 and a distal coupler 116. The proximal coupler 114is connectable to and between the proximal connector 72 and theassistance request hub 54 to operatively couple the communication andpower assembly 44D to the assistance request hub 54. Additionally, theproximal coupler 114 operatively couples the communication and powerassembly 44D to the PED power and/or data cable assembly 58. The distalcoupler 116 is connectable to and between the distal coupler 82D and thebed hub 92D to operatively coupled the bed 42 to the assistance requesthub 54, and in some embodiments, to the power and/or data outlet 56.Additionally, the distal coupler 116 is connectable to and between thedistal coupler 82D and the proximal connector 84D of the PED holderassembly 10E to operatively couple the PED holder assembly 10E to theassistance request hub 54 and the power and/or data outlet 56. The PEDholder assembly 10E is configured similar to the PED holder assembly 10Dshown in FIG. 6, but includes a assistance request cable assembly 118and a connection port 120 to which the assistance request cable assembly118 can be operatively connected to the assistance request hub 54. Theassistance request cable assembly 118 includes a assistance requestbutton assembly 122, a cable 124, and a proximal connector 126 connectedto the assistance request button assembly 112 by the cable 124. Theassistance request button assembly 122 includes a assistance requestbutton 52 that can be pressed by a patient to communicate a request forassistance to an attendant station.

The hospital room configuration 40F can include any suitable number ofquick disconnection features that enhance the ability to move the bed 42and/or the PED holder assembly 10E. For example, in some embodiments,the distal connector 76 and the proximal connector 78 form a quickrelease connection, such as the magnetic connector disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 9,147,965. In some embodiments, the proximal coupler 114 formspart of a quick release connection, such as the magnetic connectordisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,147,965. In some embodiments, the distalcoupler 116 forms part of a quick release connection, such as themagnetic connector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,147,965.

FIG. 9 shows a hospital room configuration 40G in which the bed 42 iscoupled to the assistance request hub 54 via a assistance requestcommunication cable assembly 44G. In some embodiments, the bed 42 isseparately coupled to a power and/or data output 56 via a cable assembly58G. The configuration 40G includes a PED holder assembly 10G, which insome embodiments is configured the same as the PED holder assembly 10Dshown in FIG. 6 and be operatively connectable to the power and/or dataoutput 56 through the cable assembly 58G and to the assistance requesthub 54 through a communication path that includes the cable assembly58G, the bed 42, and the assistance request communication cable assembly44G. In an alternate embodiment, the PED holder assembly 10G includes aconnection cable assembly 128 that operatively couples the PEG holderassembly 10G to a assistance request hub 54 and the power and/or dataoutput 56.

FIG. 10 shows a hospital room configuration 40H that is similar to thehospital room configuration 40G shown in FIG. 9 except for differencesdescribed below. In the hospital room configuration 40H, the bed 42 iscoupled to a assistance request hub 54 via a assistance requestcommunication cable assembly 44H and a PED holder assembly 10H iscoupled to a assistance request hub 54 and the power and/or data outlet56 without being connected to the assistance request communication cableassembly 44H or the bed 42. The PED holder assembly 10H includes a PEDholder 14H (which is configured similar to the PED holder 14D) and theconnection cable assembly 128, which is connectable to each of aassistance request hub 54 and the power and/or data outlet 56 tooperatively coupled the PED holder assembly 10H to the assistancerequest hub 54 and the power and/or data outlet 56. The hospital roomconfiguration 40H can be implemented by adding the PED holder assembly10H to an existing hospital room configuration that includes the bed 42and the assistance request communication cable assembly 44H coupling thebed hub 92D to the assistance request hub 54. In the illustratedembodiment, the assistance request communication cable assembly 44Hincludes a single cable segment 130 that operatively connects the distalconnector 82D to the proximal connector 72.

FIG. 11 shows a hospital room configuration 40 i that is similar to thehospital room configuration 40E shown in FIG. 7 except for differencesdescribed below. The hospital room configuration 40 i includes the PEDholder assembly 10D and a assistance request communication cableassembly 44 i. The assistance request communication cable assembly 44 iis similar to the power and communication cable 44D shown in FIG. 6, buthas a proximal cable assembly 60 i that includes a proximal connector 72i that only connects to the assistance request hub 54 in contrast to theproximal connector 72 that connects to both the assistance request hub54 and the power and/or data outlet 56 via the power and/or data cableassembly 58D as shown in FIG. 6. In the hospital room configuration 40i, the PED held by the PED holder 14D communicates wirelessly to awireless router 132. The PED holder 14D can include a rechargeablebattery that supplies power to recharge and/or operate the PED. In someembodiments, the PED holder assembly 10D supplies the PED with powertransferred to the PED holder assembly 10D by the assistance requestcommunication cable assembly 44 i.

FIG. 12 shows a hospital room configuration 40J that includes a PEDholder assembly 10J, a power and data cable assembly 58J, a bed 42, anda assistance request communication cable assembly 44J. The PED holderassembly 10J includes a PED holder 14J and a power and data cableassembly 48J. The PED holder 14J includes a power and/or data outputconnector 30J for fitting into an input port 32 of a PED held by the PEDholder 14J. The PED holder 14J further includes a assistance requestbutton 52J that is operatively coupled to the connector 30J. The PEDpower and/or data cable assembly 58J includes a proximal connector 66J,a power and/or data cable 68J, and a distal connector 70J. Theassistance request button 52J can be pressed to communicate a requestfor assistance to the PED held by the PED holder 30J. The power and datacable assembly 48J includes a proximal connector 84J that is connectableto the distal connector 70J to operatively connect the power and datacable assembly 48J to the outlet 56. The power and data cable assembly48J operatively connects the power and/or data output connector 30 to apower and data outlet 56J via the power and data cable assembly 58J. Insome embodiments, the PED held by the PED holder 14J, in response toreceiving a request for assistance generated via pushing of theassistance request button 52J, transmits a request for assistance to anattendant station via the power and data outlet 56J. The assistancerequest communication cable assembly 44J includes a proximal cableassembly 60J and a distal cable assembly 62J. The proximal cableassembly 60J includes a proximal connector 72J, a communication cable74J, and a distal connector 76J. The distal cable assembly 62J includesa proximal connector 78J, a communication cable 80J, and a distalconnector 82J. The proximal connector 72J of the cable assembly 60J isconnectable to the assistance request hub 54 to operatively connect theassistance request communication cable assembly 44J to the assistancerequest communication system. The proximal connector 78J of the cableassembly 62J is connectable to the distal connector 76J of the cableassembly 60J to operatively connect the cable assembly 62J to theassistance request communication system. The distal connector 82J of thecable assembly 62J is connectable to a bed connector 92J to operativelycouple the bed 42 to the assistance request communication system.

In the illustrated embodiment, the distal cable assembly 62J isconfigured for quick disconnection from the proximal cable assembly 60J,and the power and data cable assembly 48J is configured for quickdisconnection from the power and data cable assembly 58J, when the bed42 needs to be moved. For example, the distal connector 76J and theproximal connector 78J can form a releasable magnetic connection, suchas the magnetic connector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,147,965. Asanother example, the proximal connector 84J and the distal connector 70Jcan form a releasable magnetic connection, such as the magneticconnector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,147,965. In the illustratedembodiment, the proximal cable assembly 60J is coupled with the powerand data cable assembly 58J via a proximal coupler 134, and the distalcable assembly 62J is coupled with the power and data cable assembly 48Jvia a distal coupler 136 so that the connectors 70J, 74J, 76J, 84J areheld in close proximity to support quick disconnection of both connector84J from connector 70J and connector 78J from connector 76J.

FIG. 13 shows a hospital room configuration 40K that includes a hospitalbed 42, a communication and power assembly 44K for the hospital bed 42,and the PED holder assembly 10D. The communication and power assembly44K is configured similar to the communication and power assembly 44C,but including an intermediate coupler assembly 138. Referenceidentifiers associated with components of the communication and powerassembly 44C that are the same or similar to components of thecommunication and power assembly 44K are the same or similar toreference identifiers associated with the components of thecommunication and power assembly 44K. The PED holder assembly 10Dincludes the proximal connector 84D, the cable assembly 48D, and the PEDholder 14D. The PED holder 14D includes the power and/or data outputconnector 30 for fitting into an input port 32 of a PED held by the PEDholder 14D. In the illustrated embodiment, the PED holder 14D includes asingle assistance request button 52.

The communication and power assembly 44K operatively connects the PEDholder assembly 10D to the assistance request communication system hub54 and the outlet 56 and connects the bed 42 to the assistance requestcommunication system hub 54 and, in some embodiments, the outlet 56. Thepower and/or data outlet 56 supplies power and/or data to a PED held bythe PED holder 14D through the communication and power assembly 44K. Thecommunication and power assembly 44K includes the PED power and/or datacable assembly 58D, the proximal cable assembly 60, and a distal cableassembly 62K. The distal cable assembly 62 k includes a proximalconnector 78K, a assistance request communication cable 80K, and adistal connector 82K. The PED power and/or data cable assembly 58Dincludes the proximal connector 66, a proximal cable 68P, a connector106, a connector 108, a distal cable 68D, and the distal connector 70.The proximal connector 66 is connectable to the outlet 56; the connector108 is connectable to the connector 106; and the distal connector 70 isconnectable to the proximal connector 72 of the cable assembly 60 tooperatively connect the communication and power assembly 44K to thepower and/or data outlet 56. The proximal connector 72 of the cableassembly 60 is connectable to the hub 54 to operatively connect thecommunication and power assembly 44K to the assistance requestcommunication system. The proximal connector 78K of the cable assembly62K is indirectly connectable, via the intermediate coupler assembly138, to the distal connector 76 of the cable assembly 60 to operativelyconnect the cable assembly 62K to the assistance request communicationsystem and, in some embodiments, to the outlet 56. The bed 42 includes abed hub 92K to which the distal connector 82K is connectable tooperatively connect the bed hub 92K to the assistance requestcommunication system and, in some embodiments, to the outlet 56. In someembodiments, the bed 42 includes any suitable number of assistancerequest buttons 52 that are operatively coupled with the assistancerequest communication system via the bed hub 92K.

The intermediate coupler assembly 138 operatively connects the PEDholder assembly 10D to the communication and power assembly 44K. Theintermediate coupler assembly 138 includes a coupler 140, a cable 142,and a distal connector 144 operatively connected to the cable 142. Thecable 142 is operatively connected to the coupler 140 and extends fromthe connector coupler 140. The coupler 140 is connectable to and betweenthe distal connector 76 and the proximal connector 78K to operativelycouple the cable assembly 62K and the intermediate coupler assembly 138to the cable assembly 60 and, thereby, to the assistance requestcommunication system and the outlet 56. The proximal connector 84D isconnectable to the distal connector 144 to operatively coupled the PEDholder assembly 10D to the communication and power assembly 44K and,thereby, to the assistance request communication system and the powerand/or data outlet 56.

The hospital room configuration 40K can include any suitable number ofquick disconnection features that enhance the ability to move the bed 42and/or the PED holder assembly 10D. For example, in some embodiments,the distal connector 76 and the coupler 140 form a quick releaseconnection, such as the magnetic connector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.9,147,965. In some embodiments, the coupler 140 and the proximalconnector 78K form a quick release connection, such as the magneticconnector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,147,965. In some embodiments, thedistal connector 144 and the proximal connector 84D form a quick releaseconnection, such as the magnetic connector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.9,147,965.

FIG. 14 shows a hospital room configuration 40L that includes a hospitalbed 42L, the communication and power assembly 44C, the PED holderassembly 10D. The bed 42L includes a bed hub 92L that includes aconnector 146 and a connector 148. The distal connector 82C isconnectable to the connector 146 to operatively connect the bed hub 92Lto the assistance request communication system and the outlet 56. Insome embodiments, the bed 42L includes any suitable number of assistancerequest buttons 52 that are operatively coupled with the assistancerequest communication system via the connector 146. The proximalconnector 84D is connectable to the connector 148 to operatively connectthe PED holder assembly 10D to the bed hub 92L and, thereby, to theassistance request communication system and the outlet 56 via thecommunication and power assembly 44C.

The hospital room configuration 40K can include any suitable number ofquick disconnection features that enhance the ability to move the bed 42and/or the PED holder assembly 10D. For example, in some embodiments,the distal connector 76 and the proximal connector 78 form a quickrelease connection, such as the magnetic connector disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 9,147,965. In some embodiments, the distal connector 82C andthe bed hub connector 146 form a quick release connection, such as themagnetic connector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,147,965. In someembodiments, the bed hub connector 148 and the proximal connector 84Dform a quick release connection, such as the magnetic connectordisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,147,965.

FIG. 15 shows a hospital room configuration 40M that includes a hospitalbed 42, a communication and power assembly 44M, and a PED holderassembly 10M. The communication and power assembly 44M includes the PEDpower and/or data cable assembly 58D and the proximal cable assembly 60.The PED holder assembly 10M is configured similar to the PED holderassembly 10D. The PED holder assembly 10M includes the PED holder 14D, apower and communication cable 48M, and a proximal connector. In someembodiments, the proximal connector of the PED holder assembly 10M is aproximal coupler 150. The proximal coupler 150 is connectable to thedistal connector 76 to operatively couple the PED holder 14D to theassistance request hub 54 and the power and/or data outlet 56 via thepower and communication cable 48M. In some embodiments, the proximalconnector of the PED holder assembly 10M is a proximal connector 152.The proximal connector 152 is connectable to a distal connector 154 tooperatively couple the assistance request button 52 of the PED holderassembly 10M to a assistance request hub 54 via a connection cable 156.In some embodiments, the assistance request hub 54 supplies power to thePED holder 14D via a power transmission path including the connectioncable 156, the distal connector 154, the proximal connector 152, thepower and communication cable 48M, and the power and/or data outputconnector 30.

The hospital room configuration 40M can include any suitable number ofquick connection features for operatively coupling the PED holderassembly 10M to a assistance request hub 54 or to both a assistancerequest hub 54 and a power and/or data outlet 56. For example, in someembodiments, the distal connector 76 and the proximal coupler 150 form aquick release connection, such as the magnetic connector disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 9,147,965. In some embodiments, the distal connector 154and the proximal connector 152 form a quick release connection, such asthe magnetic connector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,147,965.

FIG. 16 shows a hospital room configuration 40M that includes a hospitalbed 42N, the communication and power assembly 44D, the PED holderassembly 10D, and a bed stand assembly 158. The communication and powerassembly 44D includes the PED power and/or data cable assembly 58D, theproximal cable assembly 60, and the distal cable assembly 62D. The bed42N includes a bed hub 92N to which the distal connector 82D can becoupled to operatively couple the bed hub 92N to the assistance requesthub 54 and the power and/or data outlet 56 via the communication andpower assembly 44D.

The bed stand assembly 158 includes a bed stand 160, a connection cableassembly 162, and connection ports 164 mounted to the bed stand 160. Theconnection cable assembly 162 operatively couples each of the connectionports to both the bed hub 92N and the distal cable assembly 62D. In theillustrated embodiment, the connection cable assembly 162 is connectableto the bed hub 92N via a connection cable 166 to operatively couple eachof the connection ports 164 to the assistance request hub 54 via thecommunication and power assembly 44D. Also in the illustratedembodiment, the connection cable assembly 162 is connectable to thedistal connector 98D of the distal cable assembly 62D to operativelycouple each of the connection ports 164 to the power and/or data outlet56 via the communication and power assembly 44D. The proximal connector84D of the PED holder assembly 10D is connectable to any one of theconnection ports 164 to operatively couple the PED holder 14D to theassistance request hub 54 and the power and/or data outlet 56.

The hospital room configuration 40N can include any suitable number ofquick disconnection features that enhance the ability to move the bed 42and/or the bed stand assembly 158. For example, in some embodiments, thedistal connector 76 and the proximal connector 78 form a quick releaseconnection, such as the magnetic connector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.9,147,965.

FIG. 17 is a simplified schematic diagram of a method 200 oftransmitting power to a portable electronic device (PED) over amultifunctional assistance request cable and a request for assistancesignal over the multifunctional assistance request cable, in accordancewith embodiments. Any suitable assemblies, such as assemblies describedherein, can be used to practice the method 200. The method 200 includestransmitting an electrical power from a power source to amultifunctional assistance request cable operatively connected to ahospital bed (act 202), transmitting the electrical power from themultifunctional assistance request cable to an output connector (act204), transmitting the electrical power from the output connector to aninput port of a PED detachably attached to a PED holder (act 206),generating an assistance request signal via a pressing of an assistancerequest button attached to the PED holder assembly (act 208), andtransmitting, via the multifunctional assistance request cable, theassistance request signal to an assistance request communication systemto communicate an assistance request to an attendant (act 210). Acts202-210 can be accomplished using any suitable approach, such as theapproaches described herein.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus,while the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof areshown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that there is no intention to limit theinvention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary,the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, asdefined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to beconstrued as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joinedtogether, even if there is something intervening. Recitation of rangesof values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method ofreferring individually to each separate value falling within the range,unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value isincorporated into the specification as if it were individually recitedherein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitableorder unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplarylanguage (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to betterilluminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitationon the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language inthe specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimedelement as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisinvention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable electronic device (PED) holderassembly for use in a health care facility, comprising: a PED holderadapted to retain a PED; an assistance request button associated withrequesting assistance in the health care facility, the assistancerequest button disposed in the PED holder; one or more interfacesadapted for connection to a power and data cable of the health carefacility, the one or more interfaces disposed in the PED holder,wherein: a first interface of the one or more interfaces is operativelycoupled with the PED such that power received from the power and datacable is provided from the first interface to the PED a second interfaceof one of the one or more interfaces is operatively coupled with acommunication system of the health care facility such that an assistancerequest signal is provided from the second interface to thecommunication system via the power and data cable, and the secondinterface being the same as the first interface or different from thefirst interface.
 2. The PED holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the oneor more interfaces are further operatively coupled with the PED suchthat data received from the PED are provided from the one or moreinterfaces to the power and data cable.
 3. The PED holder assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the second interface is different from the firstinterface, and wherein the PED is operatively coupled with the firstinterface while the assistance request button is operatively coupledwith the second interface and while the first interface is operativelycoupled with the second interface.
 4. The PED holder assembly of claim1, wherein the second interface comprises a connector assembly, whereinthe power and data cable comprises a multifunctional assistance requestcable, and wherein the connector assembly comprises a wall-sideconnector assembly adapted to be connected to a wall-side end of themultifunctional assistance request cable, the wall-side connectorassembly being: adapted to operatively connect a power source to themultifunctional assistance request cable to transmit power received fromthe power source to the PED via the multifunctional assistance requestcable; and adapted to connect the multifunctional assistance requestcable to an assistance request communication system for transmission ofthe assistance request signal to the assistance request communicationsystem to communicate a request for assistance.
 5. The PED holderassembly of claim 4, wherein the wall-side connector assembly comprisesa magnetic mechanism for detachably connecting the wall-side connectorassembly to the wall-side end of the multifunctional assistance requestcable.
 6. The PED holder assembly of claim 4, wherein the wall-sideconnector assembly comprises a wall-side connector adapted to beconnected to the wall-side end of the multifunctional assistance requestcable, the wall-side connector comprising a wall-side PED connector anda wall-side assistance request signal communication connector, thewall-side PED connector being adapted to be operatively connected to apower source of the health care facility to transmit power through themultifunctional assistance request cable to the PED, the wall-sideassistance request signal communication connector being adapted to beoperatively connected to the assistance request communication system totransmit the assistance request signal from the multifunctionalassistance request cable to the assistance request communication system.7. The PED holder assembly of claim 4, further comprising themultifunctional assistance request cable.
 8. The PED holder assembly ofclaim 7, wherein the multifunctional assistance request cable comprisesa bed-side segment connected to the connector assembly, a wall-sidesegment connected to the wall-side connector assembly, and a magneticmechanism for detachably connecting the bed-side segment to thewall-side segment.
 9. The PED holder assembly of claim 1, wherein theassistance request button includes an illumination element that outputslight when power and/or data received from the power and data cable istransmitted to the PED.
 10. The PED holder assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising a connection cable assembly and a bed connector adapted toattach to a side rail of a hospital bed, the bed connector being adaptedto maintain a selected position of the connection cable assemblyrelative to the hospital bed.
 11. The PED holder assembly of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of assistance request buttons, each oneof the plurality of assistance buttons being operable to transmit anassistance request signal through the power and data cable tocommunicate a request for assistance.
 12. The PED holder assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the power transmitted to the PED via the power and datacable is National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 99 compliant. 13.The PED holder assembly of claim 1, wherein the assistance requestbutton is operatively coupled with the first interface to transmit aninput signal to the PED indicative of a pressing of the assistancerequest button.
 14. A system for connecting a portable electronic device(PED) to a health care facility, comprising: a power and data cableoperatively coupled to one or more systems of the health care facility;a PED holder to which the PED is detachably attachable, wherein: the PEDholder comprises an assistance request button associated with requestingassistance in the health care facility, the assistance request buttondisposed in the PED holder; the PED holder comprises one or moreinterfaces, a first interface is operatively coupled with the PED suchthat power received from the power and data cable is provided from thefirst power interface to the PED, a second interface of one of the oneor more interfaces is operatively coupled with a communication system ofthe health care facility such that an assistance request signal isprovided from the second interface to the communication system via thepower and data cable, and the second interface being the same as thefirst interface or different from the first interface.
 15. The system ofclaim 14, wherein the PED holder further comprises a recess forretaining the PED, wherein the first interface is disposed in a side ofthe recess.
 16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a pluralityof assistance request buttons.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein theassistance request button is operatively coupled with at least one ofthe interface or the second interface.
 18. The system of claim 16,wherein the first interface and the second interface operatively couplethe power and data cable and the PED, and wherein the second interfaceoperatively couples the power and data cable and the assistance requestbutton.
 19. The system of claim 14, further comprising an illuminationelement, wherein at least one of the first power and data interface andthe second power and data interface operatively couples the illuminationelement and the power and data cable.
 20. The system of claim 19,wherein an illumination state of the illumination element depends ontransmission of at least one of the power or the data.